Chapter Four: Tsuka, the gold-eyed cat

(Pohli's POV)

I sat there staring at this girl not knowing what to say. But I really didn't think she was going to start any conversations anytime soon. "So... Uh... about earlier, you know the hand shake thing..."

"Yes..." She stared at me blankly

"I really wasn't trying to be rude, or go against any customs or anything," There was a long pause after that so I continued, "I just haven't been here for awhile. Gotten used to American customs. You know, hand shakes and stuff."

"Customs..." Midori seemed glad to hear this. "You're forgiven."

Gee, I feel so special to be forgiven. "Well... uh... um..." I fumbled over my words… Normally I wouldn't have even been this talkative with someone else that I didn't know. But for three days I would be stuck with this Gothic chick so I might as well make the best of it.

"What are those ropes for?" She asked quietly.

Instantly I had something to talk about!

"These are my lynching ropes," I pulled out all of the ones I had brought, showing them off because they were my most prized possessions. "Have you noticed Arisa's weapon of choice is a pipe? Well, this is my weapon of choice. Personally I think that a pipe is a nasty, cruel weapon to use... although it is effective." Ok what I just said really made no sense at all but she seemed to understand.

Midori's eyes seemed less menacing for a brief moment. "A large variety you have."

"Thank you, I tend to give everyone his or her own color... They seem to choose the owner by themselves, according to their soul I would think..." I looked down at them pondering about how Kyou's orange one had gotten dirty.

Midori didn't talk for a while and was distracted by a bundle in her arms, which turned out to be a doll with cat ears and tail. I leaned in to look at the little creature, "What's that?" She looked up at me through dark eyes.

"You could say, that this is my personal treasure..." A creepy and evil smile spread on her face making me shiver. "His name is Tsuka"

"Tsuka?" I wondered if it was something like her own personal Voodoo doll of Kyou since no one seemed to like him. Tsuka's tail twitched, making jump back. "IT MOVED!"

Midori laughed. "Tsuka does what I want him to do."

Speaking of the little cat thing, it jumped down onto the floor and moved closer to me. I glared at it and it looked up at me with its golden eyes, "Uh... Hi?" I whimpered and waved a little. Tsuka waved back and stood next to me for a while. I gazed back, clenching my fists in fright, and my face started to sweat. I mean come on! It's not every day you see a living cat doll.

"No need to fear Tsuka..." Midori said sadly, recalling the little cat doll. "He's my only friend..."

"Oh, no, I didn't mean any thing by that! He's a cute little guy but, it's not that common that I meet a... cat." I shivered, Tsuka was actually pretty cute once you got past the living and moving part of him.

"Everyone fears him, you wouldn't be the first..." Midori reassured. I smiled slightly, warily reaching to touch the little guy on one of his soft ears. Tsuka rubbed his head against my hand like any normal affectionate walking... cat... doll.

"So where did you get him?" I scratched his chin and I could have sworn he started to purr.

"When I was little, my grandmother gave it to me for my birthday"

"Oh…" That's about all I could say, I mean, what else could I say really, I can see it now, 'no really where did you get it from?' but that's rude and I would never be rude on purpose. So instead I thought of a different way of asking the question. "Well, seems like an unusual gift to receive..." Midori looked at me, trying to see what I meant. "Is it just an ordinary cat doll?"

"Well it…" She started but stopped and looked up at the door; I did too, to see Arisa coming in with Yuki, "Uh, hey." I murmured.

"Yes?" Midori inquired.

Yuki looked at us for a moment then started, "The banquet doesn't start till tomorrow and all of us were wondering if you would join us in the room that us guys are staying in..."

Midori nodded, stood, and picked up Tsuka (who had collapsed back into a motionless doll when Arisa and Yuki entered). I soon followed, putting my ropes back into my coat pocket. Why hadn't I even taken my coat off? I sighed, cracked my knuckles and followed Midori out of the little house. Arisa seemed happier then I had ever seen her, I guess being around friends has that effect.

"Woohoo! We are going to party!" She shouted and waved her arms around, running ahead of us and into the next house. Apparently Tohru and Saki had already headed over leaving just Yuki, Midori, and I.

Every time I look at Yuki, I think 'Is he really a guy?' I mean I would feel really stupid if I thought he was a guy all of this time and he turned out to be a girl. I am so confused, but I'll just pretend he is one even if he isn't...

"So Uotani-san," Yuki began and I figured he was calling to my cousin so I didn't even look up. "Er, Pohli-san?" He tilted his head to the side inquisitively, almost concerned. I normally was never called by my last name.

"Oh! Sorry 'bout that, Yuki. Just call me Pohli. Uotani is what you call my cousin right?" I looked up into his violet colored eyes and he smiled.

"No, it's alright I just wanted to talk with you."

'Ok well hello Mr. Forward' I thought as he moved to walk closer to me. Midori went inside ahead of us and I wish she hadn't. I don't really want to spend time with Yuki alone.

"Well, ok." I whispered, blushing slightly. We stopped just outside the door.

I really want to get inside...

"I just wanted to warn you before you go in there, about some of them. Now, you haven't met Haru but I would avoid making him mad if I was you, and Momiji can be hyper. You've met Kyou, he'll fight and argue with you the first chance he gets," I could tell by the way he talked that he didn't like Kyou. Personally Yuki was making me mad the way he kept ranting about how Kyou was stupid but I didn't say anything. "Watch out so that you don't bend over in front of Shigure since you're wearing that short skirt..." He mumbled a little more but I was so cold and my legs were freezing. I guess I really shouldn't have worn a skirt in this weather...

"Thanks for warning me." I smiled even though I was just too cold to even care. He did notice that I was shivering finally.

"Shall we?" He smiled a dazzling smile (that any other girl would die for but I really didn't care) and opened the door revealing the wildness of the Sohmas.

Arisa and Kyou were playing some card game while Saki sat enjoying something. Tohru came bounding over to Yuki taking our coats and hanging them up and then the two walked off. I saw Shigure and a man with long white hair over in the corner annoying Hatori to death. Midori sat alone in a corner holding Tsuka. I started over towards her but a short blonde headed boy jumped out in front of me.

"You must be Pohli!" He jumped up and down clapping his hands. "I knew you would be cute like Tohru!" I gasped in surprise, jumping backwards and tripping over someone's things that were on the floor. I yelped as I fell and so did the blonde haired boy, but idiot me ended up whacking my head so hard that everything went black.

TO BE CONTINUED